Card activated cash dispensing automated banking machine system and method

ABSTRACT

An automated banking machine system operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The system is operative to read a financial card bearing account indicia with a card reader. A user is enabled to perform at least one banking operation responsive to account indicia read from the card. Such banking operations may include dispensing cash and accessing financial accounts. A user is also enabled to perform at least one banking operation responsive to financial account data communicated to the automated banking machine from a mobile phone.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/671,813, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,794,514, that is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/571,785, filed Aug. 10, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No.8,430,307, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/373,168 filed Nov. 7, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,240,556, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/931,004 filed Jan. 21,2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,052,050, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/800,499 filed May 17, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No.7,874,479, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/584,378 filed Sep. 4, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,717,332, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/290,886 filed Nov. 3, 2008,now U.S. Pat. No. 7,611,049, which is a continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 11/639,660 filed Dec. 15, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,445,146.U.S. application Ser. No. 11/639,660 is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/892,257 filed on Jul. 14, 2004, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,150,393, which is a divisional application of U.S. applicationSer. No. 09/966,932 filed on Sep. 27, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,490that claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. ProvisionalApplication 60/237,812. All of the aforementioned applications arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

An example embodiment relates to automated banking machines that operateto cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearingrecords which may be classified in U.S. Class 235, Subclass 379.

BACKGROUND

Automated banking machines are known. Automated banking machines mayenable customers to carry out banking transactions. Banking transactionsthat may be carried out with automated banking machines may include thedispensing of cash, the receipt of deposits, the transfer of fundsbetween accounts, the payment of bills, cashing checks, receiving moneyorders and account balance inquiries. The type of banking transactions acustomer can carry out are often determined by the capabilities of theparticular banking machine and the programming of the machine by theinstitution operating the machine. A type of automated banking machineused by consumers is an automated teller machine. Other types ofautomated banking machines may allow customers to charge againstaccounts or to transfer funds. Other types of automated banking machinesmay print or dispense items of value such as coupons, tickets, wageringslips, vouchers, checks, food stamps, money orders, scrip or travelerschecks. For purposes of this disclosure an automated teller machine,automated banking machine or automated transaction machine shallencompass any device which carries out transactions including transfersof value.

OVERVIEWS OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In an example embodiment, there is described herein an automated bankingmachine that includes output devices such as a display screen, speakers,and a receipt printer. The automated banking machine also includes inputdevices such as a card reader, touch screen, keypad and/or a functionkeys. The automated banking machine further includes transactionfunction devices such as a dispenser mechanism for sheets of currency, aprinter mechanism, a depository mechanism and other transaction functiondevices that are used by the machine in carrying out bankingtransactions. In addition the automated banking machine may includecommunication devices, such as networking components which enable themachine to communicate with other machines and devices across a wired orwireless network.

The automated banking machine is in operative connection with at leastone computer. The computer is in operative connection with the outputdevices, the input devices, the communication devices, and thetransaction function devices in the machine. The computer is operativeto execute a plurality of software applications stored in a local datastore such as a hard drive, flash memory, or other application storagemedium. Such software applications may include an operating system. Suchsoftware applications may also include automated banking machinesoftware that is operative to provide the computer with the programmingnecessary to cause the machine to carry out a plurality of differentbanking functions and other operations as described below in moredetail.

An example embodiment of the machine further includes a wireless networkinterface. The wireless network interface is operative to provide themachine with wireless access at at least one public, private, and/orproprietary network. In one example embodiment the wireless networkinterface includes a digital cellular receiver and transmitter inoperative connection with the computer. The computer is operative to usethe wireless network interface to call out over a digital cellularcommunication network to form a secure connection with a remote hostbanking system. Transaction messages may then be communicated betweenthe machine and the host banking system through wireless digitalcellular calls.

In an alternative example embodiment, the wireless network interfaceincludes a wireless Ethernet network interface card in operativeconnection with the computer. The computer is operative to wirelesslyconnect to a wireless ethernet hub (also referred to herein as awireless access point) located within range of the machine. The examplewireless Ethernet hub is in operative connection with one or more publicor private wide area networks that include one or more host bankingsystems.

In particular embodiments, the automated banking machine may beoperative to authorize and perform transactions with the host bankingsystem by sending and receiving communications across a wirelessconnection. The wireless connection enables the example machine to beplaced in locations which do not have physical access to a land linebased communication network connection or port. For example it may bedesirable to place an automated banking machine in a location such asthe middle of a room or hallway. Such locations are typically verydifficult to wire with a communication port because there is often noadjacent wall or poll to route a network or phone line. Alternativeexample embodiments may include automated banking machines located onportable structures or on vehicles.

In an example embodiment an automated banking machine may be adapted toprovide portable wireless devices with access to a public or privatewide area network in operative connection with the machine. In suchembodiments, an example wireless network interface of the machine mayinclude a wireless hub, router or gateway device that is selectivelyoperative to give portable wireless devices fee based access to a widearea network such as the Internet. Examples of portable wireless devicesinclude notebook computers, cell phones, PDAs, Palm® compatible devicesor any other portable or handheld computing device that has wirelessfunctionality.

When the wireless device initially connects to the machine, informationcorresponding to an account associated with the portable wireless devicemay be communicated to the machine. The automated banking machineresponsive to the account information may verify that the account isvalid by further communicating with a host banking system or otherauthorization server. Once authorization is verified the machine maygive the portable wireless device access to the wide area network

In example embodiments the automated banking machine may acceptinformation corresponding to an account such as a credit card or debitcard account. Such an example machine may provide access to the widearea network for a fee which is charged to the credit or debit card.Alternatively charges may be made to data representative of monetaryvalue on a smart card or stored in a memory in or operatively connectedto the portable device. Such a fee for example may be based on theamount of time the user spends connected to the wide area network, theamount of data being communicated, or a flat fee rate for unlimitedaccess for a certain time period. Example embodiments may accept otherforms of payment such as electronic money transferred from the device.Also the machine may accept payment by direct transfer of money from anauthorized checking account, savings account or other financial accountassociated with the portable wireless device to an account associatedwith the machine. In one or more of the previously describedembodiments, the machine may further require the user to enter anidentification value, a password or a personal identification number(PIN) that is associated with the user or their account.

In some example embodiments the machine may accept an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP) account and a password associated with the account. Themachine may access an ISP that is associated with the account todetermine if the remote device is permitted access. The machine may thenreport the amount of usage to the ISP and the service provider may billthe owner of the device for the cost of the network usage.

In a further example embodiment, an automated banking machine may enablea portable wireless device to conduct transactions with the automatedbanking machine. Such transactions may include for example the dispenseof cash, a balance inquiry, the transfer of funds between accounts, thepayment of bills, the deposit of checks, cash, or transfer of electronicmoney to or from an account, the purchase of tickets, or any othertransaction that includes the transfer of value.

For transactions such as the withdrawal of physical cash, exampleembodiments of an automated banking machine may enable multiple portablewireless devices to perform the majority of the transaction steps at adistance from the machine and then individually prompt each user of adevice to come into proximity with the machine and receive thecorresponding cash withdrawal. To limit the potential for cash to bedispensed to the incorrect user, the machine may further require theportable wireless device to send a “dispense now” or other message whenthe user is standing next to the cash dispenser device portion of themachine or is otherwise in position to receive the requested cash.

In an example embodiment, the automated banking machine may enable aplurality of users to wirelessly access the machine at the same timeand/or during overlapping time period using portable devices. Throughsuch wireless access, the machine may wirelessly enable a plurality ofportable devices to simultaneously search and purchase digital contentpreviously stored on the machine. Digital content purchased throughoperation of the machine may be wirelessly transmitted from theautomated machine to the respective portable wireless device whichissued the commands to purchase the digital content. Examples of digitalcontent available for being wirelessly purchased and received throughoperation of the automated banking machine include media filescomprising movies, videos, TV shows, music videos, music, or any etherdigital content that can be packaged and sold through operation of anautomated banking machine.

To reduce the possibility that wireless information may be interceptedby third parties, in an example embodiment, an automated banking machinemay be operative to perform a secure handshaking protocol with eachportable wireless device. Such a protocol is operative to establish anencrypted communication channel for passing information between thebanking machine and each portable wireless device. Such a protocol maybe based on a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol for example whichincludes the authentication of digital certificates. Each automatedbanking machine, or a grouping of associated banking machines, may havetheir own digital certificates which can be independently authenticatedby the portable wireless devices. Such digital certificates can providethe users of the portable wireless devices with assurances that theautomated banking machine they are communicating with is a legitimatemachine and not an imposter device posing as an automated bankingmachine for purposes of stealing account number information andidentification values.

In example embodiments an automated banking machine may be made in asmaller form factor by eliminating input and/or output devices such asthe display screen, keypads, and function keys found in conventionalautomated teller machines (ATMs) for example. For such embodiments, theportable wireless devices may include a client software applicationwhich provides a user interface on the display device of the portablewireless device for interfacing and performing transactions with theautomated banking machine. For example, such a client application may bea downloaded plugin for a browser of the portable wireless device or maybe a Java® application operative in a Java Virtual Machine of theportable wireless device. Such a client may be based on HTML, WML or XMLbased documents received from the machine. In other embodiments theclient may be a service that is integrated into the operating system orhardware of the portable wireless device.

An example client may further include a data store which is operative tostore a log of transactions performed with the client. The client mayfurther be operative to export the log of transactions to a financialsoftware application such as Quicken® or Microsoft Money®. In otherexample embodiments the automated banking machine may further beoperative to communicate with portable wireless terminals of maintenanceusers. Such portable wireless devices may include client applicationswhich are operative to facilitate the servicing of the machine remotely.

In an example embodiment, an ATM includes a network for attachingdevices. This network serves as the communication link between the ATMapplication software operative in the main computer system of the ATMand the transaction function devices that comprise functional elementsin the ATM. Examples of such transaction function devices include cashdispensers, cash acceptors, card readers, depositories, and printers.However, an example embodiment encompasses a new form of thesetransaction function devices called transaction services. Transactionservices have properties of objects, similar to objects in objectoriented programing languages such as C++ or Java®. Transaction servicessuch as a print service, accept method calls remotely across the networkfor performing such functions as printing text or delivering a printedreceipt. In addition services can issue events remotely in otherservices. For example a printer service can invoke an event in anapplication program when the printer service is out of paper. ATMapplication programs can also include elements of an object orientedservice. In this way all components whether hardware or software haveproperties of objects that adhere to the same set of protocols. Thus theexample embodiment may include an ATM that is created by assemblingservice objects.

In an example embodiment Sun Microsystems JINI™ defines the low levelprotocols used to configure transaction services on an ATM network.However, example embodiments also encompass other protocols such asMicrosoft Universal Plug and Play™ that are operative to allow servicesin an ATM to automatically configure themselves on an ATM network and tocommunicate with each other with object method calls and events.

In an example embodiment, services include a computer processing unitand memory for running a Java® Virtual Machine (JVM). In addition,services include a nonvolatile data store such as a disk or NVRAM forstoring hardware-independent Java® software proxy objects. These Java®proxy objects replace prior art hardware-specific device drivers forcontrolling the physical hardware.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example wireless ATM apparatus usedin an example system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view representative of an example wireless ATMsystem.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view representative of an alternative examplewireless ATM system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view representative of a further alternativeexample wireless ATM system.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view representative of a further alternativeexample wireless ATM system.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative example ATM apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further alternative example ATMapparatus.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view representative of an example embodiment of anautomated banking machine and system that is operative to wirelesslydispense digital information to portable wireless devices.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view representative of an example embodiment of anautomated transaction machine and system that is operative to dispensedigital sound recordings.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view representative of the distribution oftransaction fees from digital information dispensed by an ATM.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is showntherein a perspective view of an automated banking machine or ATM 10 ofone example embodiment. The example automated banking machine 10includes at least one output device such as a display device 12. Theoutput device 12 is operative to provide a consumer with a userinterface 18 that includes a plurality of selectable options foroperating the machine. The example embodiment may further include othertypes of output devices such as speakers, or any other type of devicethat is of outputting visual, audible, or other sensory perceptibleinformation.

The example automated transaction machine 10 includes a plurality ofinput devices such as function keys 14 and a keypad 16. The exampleembodiment may further include other types of input devices such asmicrophones or any other device that is operative to provide the machinewith inputs representative of consumer communication. The automatedbanking machine 10 further includes a plurality of transaction functiondevices such as a sheet or cash dispenser 20, depositor 22, receiptprinter 24, and card reader 26. The example automated transactionmachine 10 further includes a wireless network interface 19 that isoperative to transmit and receive wireless information.

FIG. 2 is representative of an example wireless ATM system 30. Thewireless ATM system 30 includes a plurality of wireless ATMs 32, 34, 36.Each of the wireless ATMs is operative to wirelessly communicate with awireless ATM server 38. In the described example embodiment the wirelessATMs include a wireless network interface 41 such as an IEEE 802.11a,802.11b, 802.11g, and/or 802.11n wireless network interface card. Thewireless ATM server 40 is in operative connection with a wireless accessdevice such as a wireless access point or wireless hub 40 which isoperative to communicate with each of the wireless network interfaces ofthe wireless ATMs 32, 34, 36. The example wireless ATMs and ATM serverprovide data security for wireless communications using a wirelessencryption protocol such as Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), WirelessAccess Protocol (WAP) and/or other wireless compatible cryptographicauthentication and communication protocol.

The example wireless ATM server 38 is operative to communicate with atleast one remote host banking system 46 through at least one public orprivate network 44. The wireless ATM server 38 is operative to routetransaction and event messages between the host banking system 46 andeach of the ATMs 32, 34, 36. In one example embodiment the wireless ATMserver 38 includes a Message Gateway Router 43 (MGR) or otherfunctionally comparable apparatus which is operative to receive,transform and forward messages between a plurality of ATMs and hostbanking systems. An example of an MGR is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,339,245 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Inaddition the example wireless ATM server 38 further includes a firewall42. The firewall 42 is operative to prevent unauthorized communicationswith the wireless ATMs 32, 34, 36. The firewall is further operative toprevent unauthorized communication with the system 30 from a roguewireless device within range of the wireless access point 40. Thefirewall is also operative to prevent unauthorized access to the systemfrom external devices communicating through the network 44.

FIG. 6 is representative of an alternative wireless ATM system 60. Hereeach of the ATMs 62, 64, 66 includes a wireless network interface device68 such as a digital cellular or mobile phone based network interfacecard which is operative to communicate with a digital cellular network72. In this described example system 60 the host banking system 70 isaccessed by the ATMs through the digital cellular network 72, ratherthan calling a host banking system through a land line based network ortelephone connection. Examples of cellular networks that may be usedinclude digital cellular based networks such as GSM CDMA, CDPD, or TDMA.Example embodiments may also use the WAP when making calls to the hostbanking system through a digital cellular network. Communication betweenthe ATM and the host banking system may also be encrypted using anencryption protocol such as Wireless Transport Level Security (WTLS) andSecure Sockets Layer (SSL).

FIG. 4 is representative of an alternative wireless ATM system 80. Herethe system includes an Internet Service Provider (ISP) ATM 82. Theexample ISP ATM 82 includes transaction function devices 102 such as acash dispenser, depositor, sheet dispenser, and card reader. In additionthe example ISP ATM 82 is in operative connection with and/or mayinclude therein a wireless access device such as a wireless access pointor wireless hub 84. The wireless access point is operative to enable theISP ATM 82 to wirelessly communicate with a plurality of portablewireless devices within range of the wireless access point 84. Examplesof portable wireless devices include notebook computers 86, personaldigital assistants (PDAs) and mobile phones 90 or other devices whichare capable of providing voice communication and/or data communication.In the example embodiment the portable wireless devices include an IEEE802.11a,b,g and/or n compatible network interface which is operative tocommunicate with the wireless access point 84 of the ISP ATM 82.However, alternative example embodiments of the system 80 may use anyother wireless network interfaces and systems between the portablewireless devices and the ATM, including for example generally shortrange RF communication such as Bluetooth™ and IR based systems. Exampleembodiments may also use a transport protocol such as WAP.

The example ISP ATM 82 further includes an external network interface 92that is operative to connect the ISP ATM 82 with a public wide areanetwork such as the Internet 94. In one example embodiment the externalnetwork interface 92 includes a high speed network connection such asISDN, ADSL, DSL, Cable Modem, T1, Fractional T1, or Frame Relay. Thenetwork interface (92) may also be a wireless interface may as discussedpreviously. In this described embodiment of the example system 80, theISP ATM 82 is operative to provide the portable wireless devices 86, 88,and 90 with access to the Internet 94. The example ISP ATM 82 isoperative to provide such access for a fee which may be charged to anaccount associated with a portable wireless device.

The example ISP ATM 82 includes a toll access server software component96 which is operative to individually provide portable wireless deviceswith access to the Internet. When a portable wireless device logs ontothe ISP ATM 82 for the first time, the toll access server 96 isoperative to receive identifying information from the portable wirelessdevice. In one example embodiment the identifying information mayinclude a user ID and password. In other embodiments other identifyingvalues or combinations of values may be used, for example biometricinputs, digital certificates or other indicia usable to identify a userand/or a portable wireless device.

The example to access server is operative to validate the identifyinginformation by comparison of the user ID and password to a local orremote database 98 of authorized users. Once access is provided, thetoll access server is further operative to store a log of parameterinformation such as the source of data, amount of time and/or amount oftransferred data that is used by the portable wireless device. Such alog may be used to calculate a fee for the Internet access which isbilled to the user of the portable wireless device.

In an example embodiment, the toll access server may accept identifyinginformation from a portable wireless device which is in the form of afinancial account such as a credit, debit, checking or savings account.If the account is associated with a password such as a PersonalIdentification Number (PIN), the toll access server may further requirethe portable wireless device to provide a PIN along with the accountinformation. The example ISP ATM 82 is operative to charge an access feedirectly to the provided account. Such a fee may be based on the amountof time or data usage of the user. The fee may also be based on a onetime access fee for unlimited usage for a certain period of time. Theexample toll access server 96 is further operative to have the ISP ATM82 authorize and charge the account through communication with a hostbanking system 100. In alternative embodiments the portable wirelessdevice or a smart card or other memory device associated therewith mayinclude data representative of monetary value, which may be modifiedthrough communication with the ATM to pay charges associated withnetwork usage and/or transactions carried out with the ATM such asdispensing cash.

In one example embodiment, an example ISP ATM 82 may be located in apublicly accessible location. Such locations may for example includeairport terminals, libraries, restaurants, shopping malls, or any otherprivate or public area with a population of users that requires bothaccess to the Internet and access to transaction functions such as cashdispensing.

FIG. 5 is representative of a further example wireless ATM system 120.Here the system 120 includes a wireless enabled ATM 122. The example ATM122 is in operative connection with a wireless access point or wirelesshub 124. A plurality of portable wireless devices 136, 138 and 140 areoperative to wirelessly communicate with the wireless access point 124of the ATM 122. The wireless communication may be based on any wirelesssystem 139 that is operative to securely transport information betweenthe portable wireless devices and the ATM, including IEEE 802.11,Bluetooth™ or any other RF or IR based wireless system. The describedexample embodiment may also use a transport protocol such as WAP. TheATM 122 further includes a firewall 126 that is operative to reduce therisk of unauthorized communications passing between the portablewireless devices 136, 138, 140 or other devices and the ATM 122.

In addition the example ATM 122 further includes a terminal interfaceserver application 128. The example terminal interface server 128 isoperative to provide each of the plurality of portable wireless deviceswith an individual interface to the ATM 128 for performing transactions.In one example embodiment the example terminal interface server 128 isoperative to output HTML, WML, XML or other mark up language baseddocuments for each portable wireless device. Portable wireless deviceswith an HTML, WML or XML based browser are operative responsive toreceipt of the documents to display a plurality of interface screens.The example interface screens include a plurality of selectable optionsthat are representative of transaction functions that may be performedwith the ATM 122.

The example terminal interface server is operative to provide eachportable wireless device with its own individual and separate accesssession. As a result each portable wireless device may simultaneouslyperform transactions with the ATM 122. For example a first portablewireless device 128 may initiate a balance inquiry with the ATM 122while a second portable wireless device 126 is operative to initiate atransfer of funds between two accounts using the ATM 122. The exampleterminal interface server 128 is operative to separately maintain aplurality of individual sets of transaction states for each portablewireless device session.

In further example embodiments the portable wireless devices may includea terminal client application 142 that is specifically programmed to logonto the ATM 122 and provide the portable wireless device with aninterface for performing transactions with the ATM 122. In an exampleembodiment the terminal client application 142 may be a hardwareindependent program such as a Java® applet that is operative to run in aJava Virtual Machine® of the portable wireless device 136. In anotherexample embodiment the terminal client application may be a hardwarespecific application which is targeted to the specific operating systemand/or hardware platform of the portable wireless device 136.

In an example embodiment the example terminal client application isrequired to be installed on the portable wireless devices prior toenabling the terminal client to initially log onto the ATM 122. However,in an alternative example embodiment the portable wireless devices maybe operative to perform a handshaking protocol with the ATM 122 wheninitially logging onto the ATM. Such a handshaking protocol may providethe portable wireless devices with the initial information and/orterminal client application software which is necessary to performtransactions with the ATM 122. Examples of handshaking protocols whichmay be used to connect portable wireless devices to an ATM are shown inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/505,594 which is owned by theassignee incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The described example system 120 is further operative to enable two ormore portable wireless devices to initiate transactions which requireuse of the same physical transaction function devices 130 of the ATM.For example, two portable wireless devices may initiate the withdrawalof cash from the ATM 122 at about the same time. When this occurs, theexample terminal interface server is operative to contemporaneouslyauthorize each separate withdrawal transaction through communicationwith a host banking system 132. However, because it may be undesirableto dispense both sets of withdrawals in one group or stack of currencysheets, the example terminal interface server is operative tosequentially prompt each user to step forward before dispensing awithdrawal of currency to a user.

When a prompted user is adjacent the cash dispenser of the ATM 122, theuser may then select an option such as by providing one or more inputsthrough one or more input devices 141 on his/her portable wirelessdevice which causes the ATM 122 to dispense the cash. Alternatively, theuser may be prompted to provide one or more inputs or one or moreidentification values through one or more input devices on the ATM so asto cause the cash to be dispensed. This described example procedure forprompting a user to sequentially move adjacent to the banking machinemay also be applied to other transaction function devices of the ATM 122such as a check depository, sheet dispenser, or any other physicaltransaction device which may be needed by multiple users. The ATM mayalso operate in such circumstances to capture data from a user or anassociated article for purposes of verifying or documenting thetransaction. For example the ATM may capture biometric data such as aface scan or an iris scan to verify the identity of the personconducting the transaction. The ATM may also capture features ofdeposited currency, checks or other instruments for correlatinginformation concerning users and deposited items.

In addition to enabling multiple users to wirelessly performtransactions with the ATM 122, the example ATM 122 may further beoperative to enable a portable wireless device of a servicer of the ATMto wirelessly perform maintenance operations on the ATM 122. The exampleterminal interface server 128 may be operative to provide a portablewireless device of a servicer with a set of HTML, WML or XML or othermark up language based documents which provide selectable options forchecking error logs, troubleshooting, and performing service ormaintenance related tasks with the ATM 122. In alternative exampleembodiments of the system 120 the portable wireless device of a servicermay include a dedicated service client application which is operative towirelessly perform maintenance tasks with the ATM 122.

In the described example embodiment of the wireless system 120, theinteractive interface for operating the ATM 122 is created on theportable wireless devices 136, 138, and 140. As a result, example formsof the ATM 122 may be produced in a smaller form factor which does notinclude one or more of a display monitor, keypad, and/or function keys.An example of such a displayless and keypadless ATM is shown in FIG. 6.Here the ATM 150 includes a publicly accessible fascia 152, and whichATM includes one or more transaction function devices such as a cashdispenser 154. The example ATM 150 further includes a wireless accesspoint 156 which may enable a plurality of portable wireless devices toaccess the ATM simultaneously. The example fascia 152 of the ATM 150,however, does not include a large display device such as a CRT or LCDbased monitor. As a result the ATM 150 may be placed in smaller spaceswith limited room for an ATM opening. In addition the ATM 150 may bemanufactured at a lower cost due to the elimination of parts associatedwith the display, keypad, and/or function keys.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative example embodiment of an ATM 160 thatincludes a plurality of transaction functions devices of the same type.Here the example ATM 160 includes a plurality of cash dispenser outlets161-164. It should be understood that in some embodiments that ATM maycomprise multiple complete cash dispenser mechanisms and in others asingle cash dispenser mechanism may deliver bills to transactionfunction devices such as presenters that deliver bills from the ATMthrough an outlet. The example ATM 160 includes a wireless access point170 which may be operative to enable a plurality of portable wirelessdevices to access the ATM 170 simultaneously. Each of the cash dispenseroutlets is spaced apart along the fascia 172 of the ATM 160 such thatdifferent individual users may be able to stand adjacent different cashdispenser outlets simultaneously.

The example ATM 160 further includes a plurality of identifying devices181-184 which are each in association with a transaction function device161-164. Such identifying devices are operative to receive one or moreidentification values that can be used to determine an identity of theuser and/or the user's portable wireless device or other article that isadjacent a cash dispenser outlet or other transaction function device.By correlating the determined identity of the adjacent user and/or theuser's portable device or other article to the portable deviceperforming a transaction, the example ATM 160 is operative to have eachtransaction function device perform the proper transaction function forthe corresponding adjacent user.

In one example embodiment the identifying devices 181-184 may include abiometric reader device such as a fingerprint scanner. When a wirelesstransaction has been authorized, the example ATM 160 may be operative tocommunicate one or more messages to cause the portable wireless deviceto prompt the user to step adjacent any available transaction functiondevice 161-164 and press a corresponding fingerprint scanner surface.The example ATM 160 includes a computer that is operative to scan thefingerprint and correlate the fingerprint scan to the transaction. Thismay be done by correlating the one or more identifying values associatedwith the fingerprint scan to values in a data store. This may be forexample a remote data store which includes data which enablescorrelation of identification values with particular users, accounts orother identifying data. Alternatively, a data store included in theportable wireless device or on another item associated with a user ortheir account such as a smart card, may include one or moreidentification values which can be used to verify that theidentification data from the fingerprint scan corresponds to theauthorized user of the portable wireless device, smart card or otheritem. Once a fingerprint scan has been correlated to a transaction, theATM 160 is operative to operate the transaction function device that isadjacent the user to complete the transaction. In alternativeembodiments other types of biometric devices may be used, for example aface or voice recognition system, or an iris or retina scan device. Inaddition alternative example embodiments may use other forms ofidentifying devices or identifying values or combinations thereof suchas a bar code scanner, card reader, IR-sensor, digital certificate,password, PIN or any other device or method which is operative toprovide identifying information from a user or an object in the userspossession which can be used to determine that a transaction or user isauthorized.

In alternative embodiments the automated banking machine may establishwireless communication with the portable device. The user through theportable device may communicate one or more wireless messages with thebanking machine indicating the type and the of one or more transactionsthe user wishes to conduct. The banking machine may then communicatewith a remote host system to determine if the requested transaction isauthorized. The banking machine may then advise the user through awireless message to the portable device from the banking machine thatthe transaction is authorized and can be conducted when the user wishesfor the transaction to proceed. The user may be notified of the statusthrough output devices 143 on the portable device. The user then mayprovide one or more further inputs so as to commit to the transaction,which causes a message from the portable device to the banking machine.Such commitment messages may be generated when the user is adjacent tothe banking machine and may cause the machine to carry out the requestedtransaction function in response thereto. Alternatively, the user maycommit to the transaction and thereafter be required to provide one ormore inputs to either the portable device and/or input devices on thebanking machine to carry out the transaction function and complete thetransaction. Such approaches may provide greater assurance that theauthorized user is in position to receive cash from the machine (orotherwise receive from or provide to the machine transaction itemsassociated with the transaction). This enables users to minimize thetime spent at the banking machine. Of course such approaches areexamples and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

In an example embodiment, an automated banking machine may further beoperative to enable a plurality of portable wireless devices towirelessly communicate with the machine to search and purchase digitalinformation or content previously stored on the ATM. The purchaseddigital information may then be communicated wirelessly from the ATM tothe one or more wireless devices. In an example embodiment digitalinformation may be purchased and communicated to one or more portablewireless devices through operation of the ATM while a user is operatingthe machine to carry out a banking function such as dispensing cash.

An example of an automated banking machine such as an ATM 210 that isoperative to dispense digital information to portable wireless devicesand other devices is shown in FIG. 8. Here the ATM 210 includes at leastone computer processor 212 that is operatively programmed to enable theATM to perform at least one banking transaction such as the dispense ofcash. The computer processor 212 is also operatively programmed toenable the ATM to dispense digital content which is alternativelyreferred to herein as digital information. To perform these functionsthe ATM further includes in operative connection with the computerprocessor 212, at least one data store 213, a display device 214, atleast one input device 216, at least one output device 218, a cardreader 220 which also serves as an input device, and a cash dispenser224. The ATM 210 is further operative to communicate with at least onefinancial transaction processing computer which is operative to carryout financial transfers which in this example is host banking system230. ATM 210 also is enabled to communicate with at least one digitalinformation source 232. In the example embodiment the ATM 210 isoperative to download digital information from the digital informationsource 232 through a network 34 such as the Internet.

It should be understood that the ATM 210 and system are examples and inother embodiments automated transaction machines may include other oradditional devices and may operate in other types of systems. Forexample, embodiments may include in operative connection with thecomputer processor 212, a currency acceptor 222, a data store includinga storage device drive 226, and a communication port 228 which serves asan output device. The storage device drive 226 serves as a local datastore and enables the computer processor to dispense digital informationto a portable storage medium 236. The communication port 228 enables thecomputer processor to cause the dispense of digital information to aportable computing device 238.

FIG. 9 schematically shows an example embodiment of the ATM 210 that isoperative to dispense both cash and digital content comprising soundrecordings such as music and songs and/or video recordings such asmovies and TV shows. However, it is to be understood that exampleembodiments may also encompasses the dispensing of other types ofdigital information including digital representations of images, books,software, audiovisual works, cartoons, magazines, newspapers, games,compilations, databases and other types of digital content that may bedelivered in a digital format.

Example ATM 210 includes a display device 214 such as a CRT monitor orLCD display. The display device is operative responsive to the processorto output user interface indicia 246. The user interface indicia mayinclude instructional outputs for operating the ATM as well as contentindicia which are representative of the portions of digital informationthat may be dispensed from the ATM for a fee. In some embodiments thecontent indicia may include listings of songs, movies, books or otherportions of the digital content which a user may select to havedelivered. Example embodiments may also include graphicalrepresentations regarding the information, such as pictures of theartist or CD liner in the case of music files. Audio and/or visualoutputs may also be provided to identify, and in some cases enable the,user to sample the available information.

Example ATM 210 also includes at least one input device 216 such as akeypad, touch screen, and/or selection buttons. The input device(s)enable the user to enter operation inputs such as a personal informationnumber (PIN) corresponding to an account, an amount of cash to withdraw,or a selection of a particular digital sound recording or other portionof the digital content to dispense. Although this described embodimentincludes function keys, a touch screen and/or a keypad, alternativeembodiments may use other or additional types of input devices forentering information, such as a speech recognition system, or a trackball.

ATM 10 also includes a cash dispenser 224 and a card reader 220. Thecard reader 220 is operative to read indicia corresponding to accountinformation from a user's card. The card may be a bank card, creditcard, debit card, gas card, merchant card, smart card, or other mediumthat is operative to store account data and/or other information whichmay be used to identify a user or their accounts. In other embodimentsthe ATM may include a biometric type reading device which may identifythe user by a characteristic thereof. Such biometric reading devices mayinclude for example a fingerprint reader, iris scanner, retina scanner,voice recognition device, facial recognition reader or other device. Theexample ATM 210 is operative to dispense a selected amount of cash tothe user from the cash dispenser 224, and to debit the account of theuser through communication with a financial transaction computer such asa host banking system. The example ATM 210 is also operative to debituser fees from the account for dispensing digital information from theATM as well.

In an example embodiments, the ATM may also include at least onecurrency accepting device 222. For users who do not wish to use anaccount to pay for the dispense of digital information, the ATM isoperative to receive the user fees in the form of cash such as billsand/or coin, using the currency accepting device 222.

In an example embodiment, the digital information dispensed by the ATM210 may includes digital sound recording files 244. Examples of digitalsound recording files include MP3 files, AAC files, and WMA files.Typically each file corresponds to an individual music selection orsong. However, sound files may correspond to any collection of sounds ofany type and length. Other examples of sound recording files includecompilations of songs such as are found on music CDs and spoken textualmaterial corresponding to news articles, stories, speeches and books.

In an example embodiment, the digital information dispensed by the ATM210 may includes digital video files 245. Examples of digital videofiles include MPEG files, MPEG-4 files, DIVX files, WMV files, and Flashfiles. Typically each file corresponds to an individual audio-visualselection such as a movie, TV show and animation. However, video filesmay correspond to any collection of videos of any type and length. Forexample, video files may include compilations of TV shows or otheraudio-visual works.

In the example embodiment, the ATM 210 acquires sound and/or video filesto dispense from at least one remote digital information source 232. Thesource 232 may include a web site or FTP site on the Internet, or otherservers in a public or private network. The example ATM 210 is operativeto periodically download a plurality of sound or video files that matchcertain customizable programmed criteria. The ATM may also downloadcorresponding graphics associated with the sound and/or video files.These downloaded files are stored locally at the ATM in a local contentdata store 213 such as a hard drive. The ATM 210 is operative to displayor output graphical, textual and/or audio content indicia representativeof these sound and/or video files with the display device 214. A user ofthe ATM 210 may then provide one or more inputs to select and/ordispense one or more of these sound and/or video files.

The ATM may be programmably configured with different types ofdownloading criteria. For example, if the ATM is located in a danceclub, the downloading criteria may be configured to have the ATMperiodically download the sound and/or video files that correspond tothe top one hundred most popular dance songs or music videos for themonth. If the ATM is located in a book store, the ATM may be configuredto periodically download sound files representative of the best-sellingbooks and/or best selling movies for the month.

In the example embodiment if the data store 213 does not have alreadystored therein the sound file or video file that a user desires, theexample ATM is further operative to have the user enter a selectioninput corresponding to the desired sound file or video file such as atitle or the name of an artist or group. The ATM may then be operativeto query one or more remote content data stores for the requested soundand/or video file(s). A message is returned to the ATM which isoperative to cause the processor to generate a listing of matching soundand/or video files which is displayed on the display device 214 of theATM 210. In a response to one or more dispense download and dispense oneor more of the matching sound and/or video files from an output device.

In embodiments in which a network connection such as an Internetconnection is not available or is not always used, the ATM may beoperative to acquire sound files and/or video from portable storagemediums such as portable hard drives, flash memory device, CDs, DVDs.For example, sound files may be copied or ripped from the CD and savedlocally to the data store 213 in the machine.

The example ATM may be operative to dispense digital information in aplurality of different ways depending on the type of digitalinformation. For example the ATM described in connection with FIG. 9further includes an output device 218 that includes a sound system 260.The sound system 260 includes a sound signal amplifier 240 with aplurality of speakers 242. The ATM 210 is operative to output though thesound system 260, analog or digital signals that correspond to selecteddigital sound recording files. The signal amplifier 240 is operative tooutput sound through the speakers 242 that corresponds to the sound filesignals. Such an ATM may then function as a fee-based digital musicplayer or jukebox. For restaurants, bars, and other facilities thatoffer music, the example embodiment offers the ability to generate userfees for both the dispensing of cash and the dispensing of audiblemusic.

For other forms of digital information that is visual, such as text,documents, images or video for example, the ATM may be operative tooutput such digital content either through the display device 214 of theATM 210 or through an output device 218 that includes a video system 262or a printing system 284. A video system may include one or moremonitors, TVs, speakers, LCD displays, or projection TV. Embodiments mayinclude multiple output devices for outputting multiple forms of digitalinformation concurrently. A printing system 264 may include a monochromeor color printer capable of outputting documents and/or photo qualityprints of images or other graphics.

If multiple sound files or other forms of digital information have beenselected for output through the output device, the example embodimentmay be operative to sequentially output each song either in the orderthe digital information was selected, or in other orders, includingalphabetical by title of song, artist, album, style, or in a randomorder.

Alternative embodiments may also dispense digital information such assound files, to other storage mediums. For example the ATM 210 mayinclude a storage device drive 226 such as a CD/DVD writer which isoperative to accept a portable storage medium 236 such as a write-onceor rewriteable CD/DVD. For a fee the ATM may be programmed to dispensethe sound file by writing a copy of the sound file on a user suppliedCD/DVD. Alternatively, the ATM may include a supply of blank CDs/DVDs orother media, and may copy the file onto the media and deliver it to theuser. Examples of other types of storage device drives that areoperative for use with embodiments may include flash memory drives forwriting to flash memory devices such as CompactFlash, SD cards and SonyMemory Stick®.

Alternative embodiments may dispense digital information such as soundand video files, through an output device which includes a communicationport 18 directly to a portable computing device. Examples of suitablecommunication ports 218 include a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, aserial RS-232 port, parallel port, an infrared (IR) port, a radiofrequency (RF) port such as Bluetooth, an IEEE-1394 port, a network portsuch as a wired or wireless Ethernet connection (e.g., IEEE 802.11a,802.11b, 802.11g, and/or 802.11n), and/or any other type of port capableof outputting digital information to a portable wired and/or wirelessdevice. When a portable computing device such as an Apple Video Ipod® isconnected to the port 218, the ATM may be operative for a fee todownload sound files and/or video files to the portable computingdevice. Examples of other types of portable computing devices that mayreceive dispensed digital information such as sound and/or video filesinclude a portable computer such as a notebook computer, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a portable video player, and a mobile phone.

Alternative example embodiments may be operative to dispense digitalinformation to a user through the Internet by e-mail or FTP for example.In such embodiments the user may select the information through inputsto the ATM 210. The ATM would prompt the user to input through at leastone input device an e-mail, FTP or other network delivery address. TheATM would then be operative through en output device such as a suitablenetwork interface, to e-mail or FTP the selected digital information tothe user, rather than dispensing the digital information through outputdevices, to a portable storage medium or to a computing device adjacentthe ATM. Alternatively the ATM may send one or more messages through oneor more networks to a remote computer, which messages cause the remotecomputer to send the selected digital content to the network address.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic view representative of accounts that areaccessed by the example ATM 210 for distributing user fees. Because theATM 210 is in operative connection with a host banking system, ATM 210is enabled to deduct a user fee from an account of the user in exchangefor the dispense of digital information. The example embodiment of theATM 210 operates by reading an account number from a card inserted by auser into the card reader 220. The account number includes datarepresentative of the institution where the user's account is held.Examples of cards that are operative for use with some embodimentsinclude credit cards, bank cards, debit cards, merchant cards, smartcards, or any other portable medium that can store account or userinformation and/or data representative of stored value. The example ATM210 is operative to communicate with a financial transaction computerwhich includes or which can communicate with, a host banking systemwhich can validate a user inputted PIN and authorize a transactionrequested by the user at the ATM. If the PIN is valid and thetransaction authorized, the message(s) sent by ATM 210 is furtheroperative to cause the host banking system to debit user fees from theuser's account corresponding to the requested dispense of cash and/orthe requested dispense of digital information. Transaction fees or othercharges for the convenience of using the machine may also be charged tothe user's account. Alternatively as previously discussed, embodimentsmay identify users by biometric information. The biometric data from theuser may then be used by a local or remote computer to identify the userand/or their associated account information.

The dispensing of most digital information is limited by the copyrightowner. Typically the copyright owner requires a fee or royalty to copy,display, publicly perform or otherwise deliver the work. The amount ofthe fee may vary depending on how the work is authorized to be used. Forexample if the work is a sound recording, the fee to play the sound fileone time in a restaurant may be much less than the fee to dispense thesound file to a portable storage medium which may be duplicated anunlimited number of times. Consequently, an example embodiment isoperative to track how digital information is dispensed and to transfercorresponding licensing fees to a licensing entity, a digitalinformation source and/or other entities authorized to receive payment.Likewise stored information concerning the nature, location, size,contract status or other information concerning the establishment inwhich the particular ATM is located may be used to determine the fee.For example the fee to play a music file in a small restaurant may beless than in a large dance club. Similar principles may be applied tocharging for other types of audio files, documents, images, videos,audiovisual files and pay-per-view type events.

The example ATM 210 may be operative to debit a user fee from the user'saccount 250 for each dispense of digital information. The user fees maybe transferred to a common banking account 254 of the operator of theATM 210. Transfers of user fees may occur either immediately with eachdispense and/or may occur periodically with the ATM 210 transferringdata concerning multiple charges made to credit cards of various usersto a financial transaction computer, such as a settlement host forexample, which is operative to credit and debit accounts of theappropriate entities.

Licensing fees for downloading digital information from a digitalinformation source may be transferred in a similar manner. The ATM 210may generate messages or may include data in messages operative to causea financial transaction computer to transfer a licensing fee from theaccount 254 that corresponds to the operator of the ATM 210, to anaccount of the digital information source 232. Such a transfer may beperformed through the host banking system or through another transactionswitch or through interaction of one or more financial transactioncomputers. Such transfers may occur with each download or may occurperiodically for a batch of downloads which have occurred during a priortime period.

In an alternative embodiment, the ATM 210 is configured with inputswhich include a terminal identifying User ID and a password for use whenconnecting through one or more networks to the digital informationsource 232. The User ID and password enable the ATM 210 to access thedigital information source 232 and to download digital information. Thedigital information source 232 monitors all downloads that correspond tothe User ID and periodically charges the account 254 that corresponds tothe operator of the ATM. Alternatively for some types of digitalinformation, the charge may be assessed against an account of theestablishment where the ATM is located or an account of the operator ofthe establishment. This may be appropriate in cases where the useassociated with the digital information, as indicated by the transactionmessages received from the ATM and/or based on stored data, is a publicdisplay or performance of the work in the establishment. Of course otherapproaches may be used.

Once digital information has been downloaded to the data store 213 ofthe ATM 210, the copyright owner of the digital information may requirethat a licensing fee be paid with each dispense of the digitalinformation to a user or upon each public display or performance. TheATM 210 or other connected computer is operative to keep records of eachdispense of digital content and the character of dispense that is made.The example ATM is further operative to transfer licensing feesassociated with each dispense to an account of the digital informationsource 232 or another licensing entity 252 through the financialtransaction computer. This transfer may be done with each dispense orperiodically for a batch of dispenses.

In an alterative embodiment, the ATM 210 may be operative to transferdispense records to the digital information source or the licensingentity through the Internet or other network. The digital informationsource 232 or licensing entity 252 may then debit or charge thelicensing fees from an account that corresponds to the user, theoperator of the ATM, the operator of the establishment or otherappropriate entity.

For digital information that includes copy protection features or othertechnological measure to limit reproduction, access or use of thecopyrighted work, the ATM 210 may be further operative to configure orincorporate the protection features and charge a user fee thatcorresponds to the copy or other protection features which are included.For example ATM 210 may be enabled to have the user select licensingfeatures of a song file such as unlimited or restricted duplication,expiration dates, or other features of the sound file that affect thereproduction or use of the sound file. For example, the protectionfeatures used in some embodiments of the invention may restrictreproduction of the digital content so that it may only be played in theportable computing device to which it is initially delivered. Otherfeatures may restrict reproduction by preventing the digital contentfrom being transferred from or otherwise reproduced in digital form fromthe media or device on which it is initially delivered. Other featuresmay restrict reproduction by limiting the use of the digital content toa particular time period or to a particular number of plays. Of courseadditional or alternative approaches may be used depending on the systemand the digital content involved. The ATM 210 may be operative to chargethe user a corresponding user fee based on the type of protectionfeatures selected. The ATM may also be operative to cause thecorresponding licensing or other fee to be paid to the source of thedigital information or a licensing entity.

Alternative embodiments may be used in connection with systems whichinclude stored information concerning particular users. Such systems maybe used to correlate the identity of the user with marketing or customerpreference data. Such information may include particular categories ofmusic, videos, books or other materials or products that can be providedand/or that are of interest to the particular user. The ATM may operateto automatically give the user options for selections tailored to theirassociated preference information. Alternatively such information may beused to automatically provide the user with digital files, visual oraudio outputs or other outputs whenever the user operates an ATMconnected to the system. For example when the ATM is operated as ajukebox, the ATM may operate to automatically display indiciacorresponding to favorite artists or songs, or to output one or more ofthe user's favorite songs.

In certain embodiments it may not be desirable for a user to accesstheir financial account each time a relatively small charge for digitalinformation is assessed to the user. In such systems the system may beconfigured so that the user is required to make a “minimum purchase.”This amount may be a charge reasonably sufficient to offset the costs ofaccessing the account, for example $10 or $20. This amount would then becredited to a content prepay account associated with the user. A prepayaccount record indicating a credit associated with the user or theiraccount would then be stored in one or more data stores. This creditinformation may be stored locally on a smart card or other item, at theATM or remotely in a computer such as a financial transaction computerwhich can be accessed from the ATM. For example in some embodiments theamount may be credited to a licensing or other organization.Alternatively, a financial transaction computer may debit the prepayaccount of the user as it is used and route payments to the appropriateentities. The amount of value associated with the prepay account maythen be reduced each time the user receives a delivery of digitalcontent until the account is exhausted. Such a system may beadvantageously used where the fees involved in each digital filetransaction are small, such as the cost or playing sound files. Such asystem also provides the system operator, licensing entity, or otherentity the benefit of the “float” on the allocated funds.

To discourage or limit the unauthorized reproduction of digitalinformation that may be dispensed, example embodiments may beoperatively programmed to modify features of the digital informationbefore it is delivered for reproduction on a portable medium andcomputing device. For example portable computing devices may haveDigital Rights Management Features (DRM) which limit copying and playingof the files. An example embodiment is operative to communicate apurchased audio or digital file or other digital information file thatincludes DRM features which couple the file to the device and/or anaccount associated with the device. Such DRM features may includeencryption of the file in a manner which enables only the device and/orauthorized devices associated with a common account to play the file.Examples of video and audio files provided by the ATM which may includeDRM features include AAC files, WMA, files, MP4 files, and WMV files.

In an example embodiment, the processor in the ATM may embed or includea digital code, signature and/or certificate in/with the sound and/orvideo file that is reproduced on the user's portable digital soundplayer or other personal computing device. Such a certificate mayfurther include an encrypted digital signature or other encrypted datathat can be used to detect unauthorized alterations of the file and/orbe used to enforce the digital rights management features associatedwith the file. Alternatively, the processor on the ATM may cryptographymodify the sound and video data in the file to be coupled with an ID,code, or certificate associated with the portable computing device. Theportable computing device would only be operative to play the soundand/or video file if the unique code, ID, or certificate associated withthe portable sound and/or video player corresponds to encryptedinformation included in the sound/or video file.

Such features would limit playback of the file to the user's personalcomputing device. The sound and/or video file would be inoperative onanother personal computing device that is associated with a differentcertificate, ID or code. Of course the same principles may be used withfiles that are downloaded to the ATM itself for storage in the localdata store, when the files are only to be played through use of the ATMand not transferred to other devices.

In alternative embodiments the ATM may be operatively programmed to havethe user register with a licensing entity for the digital content priorto dispensing digital content for the first time. During theregistration process the user would be associated with a unique licensecode that may also be used when purchasing digital content in thefuture. The ATM may then be operative to encrypt the file in a mannerthat cryptographically associates the file with the license code for theuser.

The license code may be manually input with the input device 216, readfrom a card with the card reader device 224, downloaded from the user'sportable computing device 238, retrieved from another source and/orcorrelated with other data concerning the user. In an exampleembodiment, the ATM may also be operative to validate the license codeby communicating with the licensing entity. If the license code is validand/or is in good standing, the ATM would be operative to dispenseadditional digital information coupled to the license code of the user.Such a unique license code may be generated by the licensingorganization, or may correspond to the previously described digital codeor certificate associated with the user's computing device.

These described methods of copy and/or use protection of the dispenseddigital information may be further associated with a subscriptionservice or club. For example during the previously describedregistration process the ATM may prompt the user to sign up for adigital information service that for a monthly fee enables the user todispense a certain amount and/or type of digital information. Forexample the service may correspond to the dispensing of music files ordigital book text files. Each month the user would be entitled todispense a certain amount or an unlimited amount of these files from theATM for a discount club rate fee or for no additional fee per dispensetransaction.

When the user first signs up for the service, the ATM may be furtheroperative to enable the user to associate payment of the service or clubfees to an account of the user for automatic debit of the monthly clubdues or dispense fees from the user's account. Such automatic paymentinformation may be acquired by reading account information from a user'scredit card or banking card with the card reader device 220 of the ATM.

For example embodiments in which the ATM enables one more portablewireless devices to wirelessly interface with the ATM to purchases audioor video files (or perform other transactions), the devices may includesoftware which is operative to authenticate that the ATM is a valid andtrustworthy source of such content. For example, the portable wirelessdevice may include a digital certificate of a certificate authorityand/or a public key of certificate authority which is consideredtrustworthy. ATMs operative to wirelessly dispense digital informationto portable wireless devices may include certificates signed by thetrusted certificate authority. The portable wireless devices may beoperative to undergo a handshaking operation (e.g. SSL, TLS, WAP) toauthenticate the ATM and establish an encrypted communication channelbefore the device wirelessly sends financial account information orother private information to the ATM.

In a further example embodiment, the ATM may serve as a wireless gatewayto a remote music and/or video service. The portable wireless device maypurchase (or otherwise select) digital content by interacting with theremote service through wireless communication with the ATM. The contentwhich is made available to purchase or select by the service may bepreviously stored on the ATM. In response to a purchase/selection, theservice may be operative to cause the ATM produce to a suitable DRMenabled file from the stored content, which DRM enabled file iswirelessly communicated from the ATM to the portable wireless device.

If the purchased/selected content has not been previously stored on theATM, the service may be operative to send the purchased/selected contentto the ATM. Depending on the size of the file, the service may transmita message back through the ATM to the portable wireless device whichconveys that the file is downloading to the ATM and to come back to theATM after a certain time interval has passed to retrieve the file. Theuser of the portable wireless device may then leave the vicinity of theATM and come back at a later time. When the portable wireless devicereestablished a connection with the ATM, the ATM may be operative toautomatically transmit the purchased/transmitted file to the portablewireless device without the need for the device to access the service.However, in other example embodiments, the portable wireless device mayaccess the service through the ATM prior to receiving the downloadedfile from the ATM.

Computer software instructions used in operating the automated bankingmachines and connected computers may be loaded from computer readablemedia or articles of various types into the respective computers. Suchcomputer software may be included on and loaded from one or morearticles such as diskettes, compact disks, DVDs and other optical ormagnetic media. Such software may also be included on articles such ashard disk drives, tapes, flash memory drives or other read-only orre-writable drives and storage devices. Other articles which includedata representative of the instructions for operating computers in themanner described herein are suitable for use in achieving operation ofautomated banking machines and systems in accordance with exampleembodiments.

The example embodiments of the automated banking machines and systemsdescribed herein have been described with reference to particularsoftware components and features. Other embodiments may include other ordifferent software components which provide similar functionality.

Thus the new card activated cash dispensing automated banking machineand system of example embodiments achieves at least one of the abovestated objectives, eliminate difficulties encountered in the use ofprior devices and systems, solve problems and attain the desirableresults described herein.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity,clarity and understanding, however no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom because such terms are used for descriptive purposesand are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the descriptions andillustrations herein are by way of examples and the invention is notlimited to the exact details shown and described.

In the following claims any feature described as a means for performinga function shall be construed as encompassing any means known to thoseskilled in the art to be capable of performing the recited function, andshall not be limited to the features and structures shown herein or mereequivalents thereof.

Having described the features, discoveries and principles of theinvention, the manner in which it is constructed and operated, and theadvantages and useful results attained; the new and useful structures,devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations, systems,equipment, operations, methods and relationships are set forth in theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: an automated bankingmachine that comprises a wireless access point; a fascia; and aplurality of cash dispenser outlets mounted on the fascia that areoperatively coupled with the wireless access point; wherein the wirelessaccess point is operable to concurrently communicate with a plurality ofwireless devices requesting a cash withdrawal corresponding to theplurality of cash dispenser outlets; and wherein the plurality of cashdispensers are operable to dispense cash.
 2. The apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising a plurality of identifying devices; whereinthe plurality of identifying devices are operable to determine anidentity associated with a user adjacent to the plurality of cashdispenser outlets.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein thewireless access point communicates with a first of the plurality ofwireless devices associated with a first of the plurality of cashdispenser outlets requesting a first cash withdrawal transaction, and asecond of the plurality of wireless devices associated with a second ofthe plurality of cash dispenser outlets requesting a second cashwithdrawal transaction; wherein a first identifying device associatedwith the first of the plurality of cash dispenser outlets waits for afirst input corresponding to the first cash withdrawal transaction;wherein cash for the first cash withdrawal transaction is provided atthe first cash dispenser outlet responsive to receiving the first input;wherein a second identifying device associated with the second of theplurality of cash dispenser outlets waits for a second inputcorresponding to the second cash withdrawal transaction; and whereincash for the second cash withdrawal transaction is provided at thesecond cash dispenser outlet responsive to receiving g the second input.4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least one of theplurality of identifying devices comprises a biometric reader.
 5. Theapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the biometric reader includes afingerprint scanner.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein theautomated banking machine further includes a data store; and wherein theautomated banking machine is operable to verify a fingerprint scanobtained via the biometric reader corresponds to an authorized user of awireless device at the at least one of the plurality of identifyingdevices.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the identifyingdevice comprises a bar code scanner.
 8. The apparatus according to claim2, wherein the identifying device comprises an infra-red scanner.
 9. Theapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the identifying device comprisesa card reader.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein theidentifying device is operable to correlate a wireless device to a user.11. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the identifying deviceidentifiers a user from a digital certificate.
 12. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the automated banking machine is operableto communicate with a remote system to determine whether a cashwithdrawal transaction is authorized.
 13. The apparatus according toclaim 1, further operable to allow at least one of the plurality ofusers to purchase digital information or content.
 14. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the wireless access point is operable tosend message to a selected one of the plurality of wireless devicesindicating that transaction is authorized.
 15. The apparatus accordingto claim 1, further comprising: a single cash dispenser; and a pluralityof presenters corresponding to the plurality of cash dispenser outlets;wherein cash is provided from the single cash dispenser to anappropriate one of the plurality of presenters corresponding to aselected one of the plurality of cash dispenser outlets.
 16. Theapparatus according to claim 1, where the plurality of cash dispenseroutlets are spaced apart along the fascia such that different users maybe able to stand adjacent to different cash dispenser outletssimultaneously.